POMPEII AND HERC CONSERVATION By Louisa Stocks

https://www.academia.edu/27431403/POMPEII_AND_HERC_CONSERVATION?rhid=37145855210&swp=rr-rw-wc-1526579&nav_from=59568a76-b43f-489f-abfe-17a9611cda52 Identify three areas of knowledge/ understand that have been changed or challenge by new research or technology? Shifted viewpoints in Knowledge/ understanding in Pompeii and Herculaneum include the widening understanding of the diet of people in the region through carbonised seeds and nuts, improved knowledge of the Nature of the Volcanic eruption through volcanology and various scientific developments and the causes of death in Pompeii and Herculaneum through examining skeletal remains. For each area, explain why or how our knowledge/ understanding has changed (1 reason per area) The knowledge about the diet in Pompeii was originally limited to the visual remains of frescos and mosaics, especially the one in the House of Faun, include depictions of fruit, nuts and water. However through differing archaeological practices such as the use of Scanning Electron Microscopy on carbonised materials and pollen analysis have allowed a more precise identification of various other foods such as meat, grains and vegetable such as peas and lentils. Through volcanology, people have also been able to cement ancient sources such as Pliny regarding the nature of the volcanic eruption, who's history of the eruption had been discredited previously, however, through the recognition of pyroclastic flows distinct from lava eruptions has changed the view of Pliny's unreliability and Pliny is now recognised as presenting a reliable recount of the eruption. As for the Causes of death regarding the eruption, asphyxiation was the central belief of deaths due to the large amount of ash fall during the eruption. through the cast method about 50 skeletons have been examined from the second stage of the eruption and has resulted in a review of the cause of death which is now identified as thermal shock because of the pugilistic pose, a contraction of the body muscles as a reaction to temperatures of about 200 degrees Celsius. Describe 3 specific examples (not ones already stated), How modern technology has contributed to improving our understand of life in the Cities of Vesuvius Technology has been invaluable of uncovering further and rediscovering certain aspects of the Cities of vesuvius. Examples include 3D lazer scanning technology in order to uncover further about the economic aspects of Pompeii and Herculaneum. 3D lazer scanning has been valuable in the identification of repairs to walls which aren't visible to the naked eye. this has caused a re-evalution of the economic status of Pompeii at the time, which had originally thought to have been in decline, however the technology introduced, contrasted that and proved it was flourishing economically wise The Pompeii Forum project for example, has used this technology. Another example is Skeletal examination. It is mainly used through the usage of DNA extracted from the teeth as a means of identifying key data of the age and genus of human remains. The usage of this technology has further been able to dispel misconceptions such as the new breed of horse thought to be found in Herculaneum, revealed to be a donkey. Lastly, infrared photography. Infrared technology is used to provide additional information relating to what humans can see on the surface with the naked eye. It can be used on the various frescoes and mosaics, to see beneath the layers of the paint. It was used explicitly in the House of The Vestals. All of these aspects and technologies combined affect the ability to understand the ancient aspects of the Cities of Vesuvius. Moreover, The culmination of 3D lazer scanning, Skeletal examination, infrared photography and other technologies, work together to reveal pivotal aspects of People in history, the way they worked and the effects of the eruption, due to the new information and research that they bring about, and this widely alters, and improves the interpretation of Pompeii and Herculaneum. ...